Riding the extensive rail system in Europe is a great experience, but navigating how, when and where to purchase your tickets can be confusing. Not all trains are created equal, and they vary from country to country. If traveling during summer months, a train with air conditioning is a must and if traveling during high season (May – October), tickets for high speed and long distance trips should be purchased well in advance to save money and ensure a seat for your preferred date and train. Seat reservations are required (and helpful!) on high speed trains. If possible, non-stop trains or ones with the fewest changes of train should be selected.

Experience

1. The experience is extraordinary

2. Tours, day trips, excursions, and activities are designed with you in mind and offer a unique perspective of the place you are visiting

3. Tours, day trips, excursions, and activities are designed with you in mind and offer a unique perspective of the place you are visiting

Companionship

4. You are likely to meet other women who will become your  lifelong friends

5. You can feel comfortable asking questions and lots of them. Being in a close group makes it easy to ask questions and share experiences.

Safety

6. Know that you can travel safely in a group even if you don’t know someone else ready to buy a plane ticket

7. Nervous about traveling? Sit back and let the experts take care of it.  Group leaders have experience in travel and often in the place you are in. They can point out unique spots, great eats, and expose you to a side of the place you are visiting that you would otherwise miss.

Save Money

8. Group prices are often cheaper than individual. You can often save lots over individual pricing for normal traveling expenses such as airfare, entry fees, and transportation.

FUN!

9. The more the merrier. We know this well. Traveling alone or in a pair is rarely as much fun as with a group.

10. Memories, laughter, great photographs, and unforgettable fun.

If in need of medical assistance while traveling abroad, there is a referral service for English-speaking doctors and clinics available in 90 countries. You  pay the doctor directly for service provided. Go to http://www.iamat.org/index.cfm to register for one year at a time - membership is free. They also offer medical-related travel planning advice such as immunization requirements.  Don’t forget to purchase your travel insurance before you leave.

If you travel abroad frequently or for an extended period of time, you may want to apply for a credit card that has a lower transaction fee. Capital One credit card is the only that currently does not charge this fee. Most Visa and MasterCard issuers charge 3%. American Express charges 2.7%. Discover Card charges 2%, however, their card is not commonly accepted worldwide. If you qualify for a card issued by USAA, they currently charge 1%. Fees for the use of a debit card in ATMs abroad vary considerably as well, ranging from a zero to 3% conversion fee and zero to $5.00 flat fee, or combination of both.

Make extended airport stays more comfortable by using airline airport lounges. Formerly reserved for First or Business Class travelers, they are now available to all airline travelers on a daily pass or annual membership basis through several sources. Cost and benefits vary but information is available on each airline’s website or membership websites such as Priority Pass, American Express or Delta Reserve Card by American Express. Lounge benefits include comfortable seating, business services, food and beverage, and often times shower facilities.